Consulting: Global management consultancy firm Accenture is opening a new centre in Ireland that will create 100 jobs over the next four years. The centre for predictive analytics, or the use of statistics to forecast future business revenue, is one of seven similar Accenture centres worldwide, and will take the company's Irish workforce up to 1,400. Executive director of Accenture Analytics Brian McCarthy, originally from Cork, is said to be thrilled at the news, reports the Irish Times.
Food and drink: Northern Ireland, meanwhile, has launched a strategy to create 15,000 jobs in its agri-food sector. The Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association outlined a five-step plan to grow the industry, boost its economy and create sustainable employment by 2020, the Belfast Examiner reported. For every job in food and drink, the NIFDA estimates that three more jobs in sectors such as transport and logistics are supported.
Graduates: Job prospects for UK graduates are finally improving, according to the Chartered Management Institute. Charlie Ball, deputy research director at the Higher Education Careers Services Unit told them: "The winter of 2009/2010 was probably the worst it is going to get for graduates for a little while. Things are on the up again." However, he stressed the important of focusing on career development and using the resources and advice available to you to get ahead.
Travel: Swansea saw the opening of a new Virgin Atlantic customer service call service centre this week that will create 200 jobs over the next two years. Opened by Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, the building is Virgin's first base in South Wales. However, call centres are one of the biggest employers in the country, Wales Online estimates, providing jobs to over 28,000 Welsh men and women.
